Seiganto-ji Temple

Overview

Seiganto-ji Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture. It's renowned as a sacred site of Kumano faith. Designated as the first temple of the Saigoku Sanjusan-so pilgrimage route and a component of the UNESCO World Heritage site, "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." According to legend, Seiganto-ji Temple's history dates back to the reign of Emperor Nintoku (4th century), when it was founded by Rakugyō Shonin, a Buddhist monk who arrived from Tenjiku (India). Later, it became a temple built under the imperial patronage of Empress Suiko, and its temple buildings were constructed by Shobutsu Sho. From the medieval to the early modern period, it was integrated with the adjacent Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, known as Nachi-san Kumano Gongen or Nachi Gongen, and prospered as a Shugendo training ground blending Shinto and Buddhist practices. Following the Meiji era's separation of Shinto and Buddhism, while Buddhist halls in other Kumano Sanzan shrines (Kumano Hongū Taisha and Kumano Hayatama Taisha) were abolished, the Nyorin-dō hall of Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, being the renowned first temple of the Saigoku Sanjusan-so pilgrimage, was spared immediate demolition and left empty. However, in 1874, it was revived by long-time devotees, becoming an independent Tendai Buddhist temple named Seiganto-ji. Seiganto-ji Temple houses numerous historic structures, including its main hall and a Hōkyō-intō pagoda, both designated as Important Cultural Properties. The striking red three-storied pagoda standing against the backdrop of Nachi Falls harmonizes with the magnificent natural setting, enchanting visitors. The magnificent view of Nachi Falls can be enjoyed from the temple grounds. Seiganto-ji Temple is a sacred place where nature and faith blend seamlessly. Why not spend some peaceful time here, immersed in its history, culture, and breathtaking scenery?